2013 Hyundai Elantra
Problems, recalls and owner-reported issues
Service brakes is the leading concern among 1,330 owner complaints filed for this model year. This is the highest complaint count among 26 Elantra model years with reports.
Of the 2013 reports, 95 involved a crash and 31 involved a fire. 68 people were injured.
What owners report most often
Recalls and investigations
Service brakes, hydraulic, antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip, control unit/modulePark outsideSep 22, 2023
Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2011-2015 Elantra, Genesis Coupe, Sonata Hybrid, 2012-2015 Accent, Azera, Veloster, 2013-2015 Elantra Coupe, Santa Fe, 2014-2015 Equus, 2010-2012 Veracruz, 2010-2013 Tucson, 2015 Tucson Fuel Cell, and 2013 Santa Fe Sport vehicles. The Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS) module may leak brake fluid internally and cause an electrical short, which can result in an engine compartment fire while parked or driving.
An engine compartment fire while parked or driving can increase the risk of injury.
Owners are advised to park outside and away from structures until the recall repair is complete. Dealers will replace the ABS fuse, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 10, 2024 through October 11, 2024. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460. Hyundai's number for this recall is 251.
Campaign 23V651000 on NHTSA.gov
Service brakes, hydraulic, pedals and linkagesNov 30, 2017
Hyundai Motor Company (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2013-2014 Elantra sedan, coupe and GT vehicles. The brake pedal stopper pad can deteriorate allowing the brake light switch plunger to remain extended when the brake pedal is released. This will allow the brake lights to remain illuminated continuously. It can also allow the shift lever to be moved without depressing the brake pedal, or activate the engine management brake pedal override feature.
If the brake light switch plunger does not retract as it should when the brake pedal is not being pressed, the brake lights may stay illuminated preventing accurate communication to following vehicles that the vehicle is slowing or stopping. Additionally, if the brake switch plunger is not retracted, then the transmission can be shifted out of PARK without depressing the brake pedal. Either condition increases the risk of a crash.
Hyundai will notify owners, and dealers will replace the brake pedal stopper pad, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin February 8, 2018. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-800-633-5151. Hyundai's number for this recall is 170. This campaign expands recall 16V574.
Campaign 17V769000 on NHTSA.gov
Exterior lighting, brake lights, switchAug 2, 2016
Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain model 2013 Elantra vehicles manufactured December 1, 2012, to April 30, 2013. The brake pedal stopper pad can deteriorate allowing the brake light switch plunger to remain extended when the brake pedal is released.
If the brake light switch plunger does not retract as it should when the brake pedal is not being pressed, the brake lights may stay illuminated preventing accurate communication to following vehicles that the vehicle is slowing or stopping. Additionally, if the brake switch plunger is not retracted, then the transmission can be shifted out of PARK without depressing the brake pedal. Either condition increases the risk of a crash.
Hyundai will notify owners, and dealers will replace the brake pedal stopper pad with an improved part, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin on September 30, 2016. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460. Hyundai's number for this recall is 146.
Campaign 16V574000 on NHTSA.gov
Air bags, side/windowApr 1, 2013
Hyundai Motor Company is recalling certain model year 2011-2013 Elantra vehicles manufactured from November 12, 2010, through March 5, 2013. A support bracket attached to the headliner may become displaced during a side curtain airbag deployment.
If the headliner support bracket makes contact with an occupant during a crash, it may cause a laceration injury.
Hyundai will notify owners, and dealers will apply adhesive strips to the headliner, free of charge. The safety recall began during April 2013. Owners may contact Hyundai at 1-800-633-5151. Hyundai's recall campaign number is 109.
Campaign 13V115000 on NHTSA.gov
Representative owner complaints
1,330 reports, newest first.
Exterior lighting, Jun 22, 2012
I RECENTLY GOT A NEW HYUNDAI ELANTRA GLS. THE STICKER CLAIMS THAT THERE ARE DAYTIME RUNNING LIGHTS. WHEN I CALLED THE DEALER TO FIND OUT WHY THE DAYTIME RUNNING LIGHTS ON MY CAR DO NOT COME ON, THEY COULD NOT FIGURE IT OUT AND SUGGESTED I CALL HYUNDAI. THE SAME SWITCH THAT TURNS OFF THE HEADLIGHTS IS ALSO THE "DRL OFF" SWITCH. THERE IS NO SEPARATE "DRL ON" SWITCH. THE HYUNDAI CASE MANAGER TOLD ME THAT ON THE AMERICAN-MADE MODELS IT IS NECESSARY TO TURN THE PARKING LIGHTS ON, AND THAT THIS IS THE DAYTIME RUNNING LIGHT SYSTEM. EVERY CAR HAS PARKING LIGHTS; THEY ARE NOT ON WHENEVER A VEHICLE IS RUNNING AND MUST BE TURNED ON. THESE ARE NOT DAYTIME RUNNING LIGHTS. DAYTIME RUNNING LIGHTS ARE SUPPOSED TO BE ON WHENEVER THE HEADLIGHTS ARE NOT ON. THE STICKER ON THE CAR MAY CLAIM THAT THE CAR HAS DAYTIME RUNNING LIGHTS, BUT IT SEEMS TO ME THAT THIS IS A LIE; THERE ARE NO DAYTIME RUNNING LIGHTS ON THE CAR. A SIGNIFICANT SAFETY FEATURE HAS BEEN LEFT OFF THE CAR. *TT
Tires, Jun 15, 2012
A BLOW OUT OF A TIRE OCCURRED WHILE DRIVING A 2013 HYUNDAI ELANTRA LIMITED WITH 543 TOTAL MILES ON THE CAR. THE SPEED OF THE CAR AT THE TIME WAS 25 MPH ON A SMOOTH ROAD SURFACE IN A RESIDENTIAL AREA. IN TALKING TO OTHER OWNERS, AND SEARCHING THE INTERNET, WE FIND THAT PREMATURE TIRE FAILURE OCCURS FREQUENTLY ON THE ELANTRA. FORTUNATELY, THIS INCIDENT HAPPENED AT A VERY SLOW SPEED OTHERWISE THERE MAY WELL HAVE BEEN A FATALITY INVOLVED. *JB
Steering, Engine, May 31, 2012
WHEN DRIVING THE VEHICLE ON THE HIGH WAY I 29 N AT ABOUT 68-72 MPH THE BRAND NEW VEHICLE ENGINE STALLED ABRUPTLY AND THE STEERING WHEEL FROZE AND WE WERE STUCK IN THE DIRECTION THE STEERING WAS PREVIOUSLY TURNED IT AND IT MADE IMPOSSIBLE FOR US TO STEER IT ON TO THE SHOULDER AND THE VEHICLE BEHIND US ALMOST CRASHED INTO US. WE WERE JUST A WHISKER AWAY FROM GETTING KILLED. WE HAD A NEAR DEATH EXPERIENCE AND MY FIANCE IS STILL HAVING NIGHTMARES ABOUT IT. *TR
Exterior lighting, May 23, 2012
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 HYUNDAI ELANTRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN COMPLETING A LEFT TURN, THE LEFT TURN SIGNAL WOULD CONTINUE TO FLASH. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS BUT THE FAILURE COULD NOT BE DUPLICATED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO TO ASSIST WITH THE ISSUE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 1,100.
Exterior lighting, May 21, 2012
I GOT THIS CAR A FEW DAYS AGO. THE WINDOW STICKER CLAIMS IT HAS DAYTIME RUNNING LIGHTS. THE LIGHTING STOCK HAS THREE OPTIONS. THE OPTIONS ARE "DRL OFF, DAYTIME LIGHTS, AND NIGHT TIME LIGHTS." WHEN DAYTIME LIGHTS ARE ACTIVATED, IT ACTIVATES THE DAYTIME RUNNING LIGHTS, BUT ALSO ACTIVATES REAR LIGHTS AND DIMS INTERIOR GAUGE LIGHTS TO "NIGHT LIGHTING" LEVELS. THIS POSES SEVERAL SAFETY RISKS. FIRSTLY, PEOPLE MAY STRUGGLE TO READ INTERIOR GAUGES WHEN DRIVING DURING THE DAY, INCREASING THE RISK OF A COLLISION. SECONDLY, THE ACTIVATED REAR LIGHTS ADDS CONFUSION DURING THE DAY AND COULD INCREASE THE RISK OF OTHER MOTORISTS CRASHING INTO THE REAR. *TT